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A review by lyricallit
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
(This may change after a book club discussion)
I struggle to know how to rate this. Initially, I did not think I'd enjoy it, but then found myself devouring a vast portion of the book. There were longish, overly detailed sections I could have done without but overall the pacing was very good. But damn the trauma in this woman's life, in her whole family... I think I heard it called "tragedy porn" and I m trying to decide if I agree with that assessment.
Ultimately I found the ending unsatisfying. I felt that the character development made a good case for the decision she had seemed to settle on... Only for her to reverse that decision in the last 2 paragraphs.
I struggle to know how to rate this. Initially, I did not think I'd enjoy it, but then found myself devouring a vast portion of the book. There were longish, overly detailed sections I could have done without but overall the pacing was very good. But damn the trauma in this woman's life, in her whole family... I think I heard it called "tragedy porn" and I m trying to decide if I agree with that assessment.
Ultimately I found the ending unsatisfying. I felt that the character development made a good case for the decision she had seemed to settle on... Only for her to reverse that decision in the last 2 paragraphs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Body shaming and Incest
Minor: Cancer, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts